Newest Mueller Court Filing Reveals that Michael Flynn May Be Playing a Key Role in the Russia Probe

Special counsel Robert Mueller has asked to extend the deadline for sentencing former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to documents filed Tuesday, suggesting that Flynn remains an active cooperator in the investigation of potential collusion between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election.

Flynn has previously pleaded guilty to misleading the FBI and has reportedly become a cooperating witness in the ongoing investigation. 

"Due to the status of the Special Counsel's investigation, the parties do not believe that this matter is ready to be scheduled for a sentencing hearing at this time," the filing reads.

Flynn was one of Trump's top advisers during the campaign, and he became national security adviser after the president's inauguration. He was fired within a matter of weeks, however, ostensibly because he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his communications with the Russian ambassador. It was only later that he pleaded guilty to lying about the same subject to the FBI.

Flynn also has reported contacts with Russia that extend back to at least 2015.

On Monday night, the New York Times published a list of dozens of questions that Mueller reportedly wants to ask Trump as part of the investigation. Several of the questions focus on Flynn and his firing. Tuesday's filing from Mueller suggests that the special counsel may see Flynn's role as a cooperating witness as critical in assessing Trump's truthfulness in his answers to those questions — assuming the president ever sits down for an interview.

Though some — especially defenders of the president — have suggested that Mueller's investigation might be winding down, the latest developments suggest that the probe remains in high gear.

Read the new court documents here.